The Los Angeles Lakershave consistently turned away trade inquiries in recent weeks for All-Star center Dwight Howardand still believe they have a strong chance of signing him to a new contract when Howard becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer, according to sources close to the situation.

But sources told ESPN.com this week the Lakers might be forced to reconsider that position between now and the Feb. 21 trade deadline because of Howard’s growing unhappiness with his role under coach Mike D’Antoni and the potential that raises for Howard leaving them in July without compensation.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, however, said that a trade is not imminent.

“I don’t think we’re at the point where you say, ‘It’s time for a trade,’ and a trade happens in three to four days. That’s just not how this league works,” Kupchak said in a phone interview with ESPN.

I think the Lakers will call Howard's bluff if he threatens to leave. The rules about retaining a team's own free agents plus the new sign-and-trade rules make it very unlikely that Howard will leave.

With his back, and the way he's playing currently there is 0 chance he's walking away from that fifth year. Lakers might trade him because they don't want to deal with him, but not because they're afraid he'll walk.